Donald Trump: ‘Young Americans Have Dreams Too’

"Congress now has the opportunity to advance responsible immigration reform that puts American jobs and American security first."

Congress now has the opportunity to balance much-touted protections for younger illegals with its duty to help raise Americans’ wages and opportunities, President Donald Trump said today in a statement announcing the end of former President Barack Obama’s quasi-amnesty for younger illegals.

The statement shows Trump’s decision to combine the issue of an amnesty for young illegals with his immigration reform agenda that is intended to benefit all Americans. So far, Democrats, business groups, and the media have focused on the needs of the illegals, while ignoring the priorities of Americans, as described in polls and the 2016 reform election.

Trump said:

Congress now has the opportunity to advance responsible immigration reform that puts American jobs and American security first. We are facing the symptom of a larger problem, illegal immigration, along with the many other chronic immigration problems Washington has left unsolved. We must reform our green card system, which now favors low-skilled immigration and puts immense strain on U.S. taxpayers. We must base future immigration on merit – we want those coming into the country to be able to support themselves financially, to contribute to our economy, and to love our country and the values it stands for. Under a merit-based system, citizens will enjoy higher employment, rising wages, and a stronger middle class. Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue have introduced the RAISE Act, which would establish this merit-based system and produce lasting gains for the American People.

I look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to finally address all of these issues in a manner that puts the hardworking citizens of our country first.

As I’ve said before, we will resolve the DACA issue with heart and compassion – but through the lawful Democratic process – while at the same time ensuring that any immigration reform we adopt provides enduring benefits for the American citizens we were elected to serve. We must also have heart and compassion for unemployed, struggling, and forgotten Americans.

Above all else, we must remember that young Americans have dreams too. Being in government means setting priorities. Our first and highest priority in advancing immigration reform must be to improve jobs, wages and security for American workers and their families.

It is now time for Congress to act!

Under current immigration policy, the federal government accepts 1 million legal immigrants each year, even though 4 million young Americans enter the workforce to look for decent jobs.READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE: